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Chapter 33: Susanna
Last Updated:
2024-10-24 21:29:48
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My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 34: Susanna's pov
I stare at the woman in front of me and understand why I’ll never be a man’s ‘only’ choice. She is everything I could never be. Regal, graceful to a point that borders royalty, soft spoken, demure, and more importantly, there are no dark shadows haunting her eyes.She’d make a loving partner. The kind that’d make her husband and children breakfast, lunch and dinner and even sing while doing it. The kind that has every important date in her head and signs off everyone’s gifts. The kind that holds her husband in his darkest hour and knows the right words to say, not offer him her body because it is the only way she knows how to take the pain away. The kind they make love to and whisper against her ear, “I love you.” The kind they kiss on the forehead before a heartfelt, “Goodnight.” The kind every man needs.Not some broken, stray dog without an owner.The shower stops running and I know it’ll hurt more if I saw him step out of it. My limbs tangle in a desperate attempt to get out of th
Last Updated : 2024-10-24My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 35: Susanna's pov
“You drank from my glass.”I pout, my skin feeling abominably hot. “I was curious. I’ve never had alcohol before.”“You’re lightweight,” he says, and I can tell that it amuses him somehow. “What’s your vice? A loose tongue or erratic behaviour?”I giggle, and snort, unable to help myself.“Starting over, what does that entail for you?” Zefiro asks, his lips trailing a path down my naked spine.I moan into the--his--pillow, breathing in copious amounts of his scent. Today, his lips trail every inch of my skin, not his hands. Something about being obscenely naked under a fully dressed Zefiro turns me on harder and faster than normal. Something about the way his crisp tie trails the curve of my ass softly makes the hair on my skin rise. “A new name. Something Scottish. I’ve always been--” A heavy breath slips out when he kisses the back of my knees. “Fascinated by their culture.”A chuckle skitters off my skin. “I like Susanna just fine.”“Good thing it’s my name, not yours,” I drawl cat
Last Updated : 2024-10-25My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 36: Susanna's pov
My flipflops squeak against the dirty rug and my nostrils crinkle at the familiar stench of alcohol, sweat, sex and cheap perfume. I wonder if this is where Alessandro brings all his women, or if my worth was to him was the same as the run down, shady and unkempt hotel that seemed more appropriate for drug dealings and traffickings than hook ups.Or maybe Alessandro is just a cheap bastard.We stop at the counter, and despite my aversion to the man in front of me, I step close to him until our sleeves brush. Hungry gazes leer at me from every corner, vicious, predatory. I resist the need to hug my chest and hide myself from them. I’m dressed decently. It’s not my fault they’re staring at me that way. It’s them. It’s not me. I’m not a whore. I’m not a slut. Gum smacks loudly, bringing my gaze to the receptionist. The ginger slouched behind the counter is so high, her irises cover her pupils, making the light blue appear black. Under the red, harsh lighting, her skin appears pale and
Last Updated : 2024-10-25My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 37: Susanna's pov
A year later...“I went on a date last night.”Frank black eyes peer at me through blurry oval lenses. “And?”I bite my bottom lip, chipping at the red nail polish I had painted on for an outing I shouldn’t have attended. “He was...nice. Name’s Grayson. Chef. Twenty four.” When those eyes keep piercing into me, waiting for my next words, I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I don’t think I’m getting any better, Doc. I...I wanted him to hurt me when he kissed me. Bite me. Hit me.”A nod. A long silence filled with the sound of scribbling on paper. At this point, I wonder what else she has to note that she hasn’t already in the last seven months. Light lashes flutter before her eyes return to mine. “And did you communicate your...preferences this time?”I drop my hand in my lap. “I...hinted at it. He took it.”Hinted. I can never tell a man what I want, even after all this time. My therapist, Dr. Garcia pins me with a dry look that tells me to keep going. Heat stains my cheeks and
Last Updated : 2024-10-26My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 38: Susanna
He lied.I’d permed my hair, cutting it to a shoulder-length style that framed my face. The lip color I chose was so vivid, so dangerously alluring, it could only be called siren red. And for once, I wore a dress. Not just any dress—a short, scandalous piece that clung to me like a second skin, stopping at mid-thigh, baring my legs in a way I haven’t dared in years. A metallic silver dress.Black sheer tights, fishnet-patterned, designed to set the mood with every inch they teased. If he hadn’t stood me up, he would have seen that underneath them, I wore nothing. No underwear, just a delicate incision under the tights, right where my entrance was, waiting. And my heels—knockoff Louboutins, sure—but they came at a price I could barely afford. They were worth it. I looked good. More than good. Every man around me stared, their gazes dripping with lust, desire, the kind of attention I’d spent so long avoiding. I’ve been given three expensive bottles from different men, each of them try
Last Updated : 2024-10-27My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 39: Susanna
I flinch, eyes stinging with anger, hate, remorse and self-loathing. “I...I’m sorry--”“It’s for the best we don’t communicate with each other again.”The beep of the call disconnecting has never been louder, and my fingers shake as I cover my face with my hands, hyperventilating.No. He doesn’t get to do this to me. He can’t do this to me. It’s been a year. He’s married. He moved on and I don’t get to? I don’t get to see other people? He can’t take that from me.My fingers are flying across my screen before I can stop myself, and I’m punching in digits I’ve tried to scrub free from my mind. He picks up on the first ring. My heart skips and my mouth dries at the sound of his sonorous voice. My skin warms and my nipples tighten as he says my name with an intimacy I haven’t experienced since I left him. “Susanna.”How he knows it’s me, I have no idea, and I frankly don’t care. “You don’t get to do this to me, Zefiro.”A rustle of sheets. He’s flipping through a book. “You cut your hair
Last Updated : 2024-10-27My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 40: Zefiro's pov
Zefiro“And did she know? That it was a marriage of convenience?”My ankle crosses over my knee, and I flick my thumb over the cheap necklace I stole from her dresser. “No.”Dark eyes study my face for the fifth time today, lingering too long on my lips. When she realizes I’m watching, her cheeks stain pink. She clears her throat and adjusts her glasses. “So, it wasn’t entirely her fault, then.”“She never asked. Didn’t care enough to.”Her fingers tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, giving me a glimpse of her neck and collarbone. A few years ago, that might have been enough for me to close the blinds and bend her over her desk. But now? I’m ruined for one woman. The same woman who doesn’t even want me.“Maybe it’s not that she didn’t care.” She flips through her notes that date back to my first day here and her brow furrows. “You mentioned she was married...”Her voice fades off, realization dawning in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. That this seems familiar. Her gaze sha
Last Updated : 2024-10-28My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 41: Susanna's pov
There are natural disasters. Tornadoes, whirlwinds, hurricanes, floods. And then, there is Zefiro. Zefiro the man, Zefiro my lover, Zefiro my stalker. A destructive force made of flesh, bones and beautiful tan skin. The most handsome man I’ve ever seen—could ever see, with the loveliest set of eyes I’ll ever look into, no matter how often they haunt my waking moments.Golden brown like molten honey in the sunlight, his eyes are fastened on me as he cuts through the too eager crowd, who peer at him in awe.Pity they don’t know.He could melt hearts with a deceiving smile, convince those who couldn’t look past the surface that he was...just a man. Gorgeous, yes, but normal. But there was nothing normal underneath that hot, muscular skin. There was nothing sane behind those eyes. Only fire, blood and want.That he located my work place doesn't even surprise me. Frankly, I’ve been waiting since I found the tattoo at the base of my spine. I knew it was only a matter of time till he showed
Last Updated : 2024-10-28
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My Neighbour's Wife 83: Susanna’s pov
A year later…and some.A tear runs down my cheek and my fingers rest atop my quivering lips. “It’s…beautiful.”Fabian peers over my shoulder. “I don’t get it. What is it?”“A visual representation of my mental state. Do you like it?” I ask, tracing the chaotic brush strokes with my fingertips. Erica, Fabian’s girlfriend chuckles, chipping away at my fries. “The project was on portraits, Susan. Mrs. Rideal’s gonna to make an example of you again.”I gesture towards the drawing. “But this is a portrait of me!”Fabian makes a face, snatching the fries from Erica. All he does lately is eat my food. “You’ve got paint in your hair.” He frowns when my phone pings multiple times. I snatch it off the stool before he can and go through my notifications.The world bleeds away, taking the sounds of Erica and Fabian smooching on my couch away with it. I feed my growing obsession with picture after picture. Cold brown eyes. Crisp navy blue tuxedo. A devastatingly ruthless smile. Confident. Arrogan
My Neighbour's Wife 82: Zefiro’s pov
Unsigned divorce papers crinkle in my grasp. The visit to the asylum, like many others had been futile. Valentina ripped each document to shreds, violent in her rejection of our divorce.Anymore and I might kill her with my bare fucking hands.She wanted to remain tethered to me, knowing that as long as she lived, whatever plans I had with Susanna would be void.“Hope to God that I never leave this place, because the first thing I’ll do is gut the bitch myself.”My nostrils flare and my fingers twitch. Patience is slowly becoming my most despised virtue.A soft knock scatters my thoughts. I slam the papers shut just as Susanna’s perfume drifts into the room. She pokes her head inside, dark hair falling over her shoulder, and something in me twinges at the small smile she gives me. “Hey. Busy?”She looks younger now. Brighter, somehow.“Never too busy for you,” I state, as a matter-of-fact.Her cheeks take on a rosy hue and she slips inside. My mouth dries instantly and my chest tighte
My Neighbour's Wife 81: Morwenna’s pov
Mor couldn’t sleep.The dormitory had fallen silent around her, snores and silent chatter filling the air. There were no windows, and as such, she couldn’t tell what time it was. It only worsened her anxiety.The pregnant inmate beneath her cursed violently at her when she shifted again, shaking the bunk. Morwenna cursed right back, causing the woman to fall silent.Her eyes flicked to the guards manning the doors outside. They hadn’t left. Their shift ended by eleven. That was when Visconti had planned for her death to happen.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Susanna’s eyes. The child and the woman. She hated that the words had festered and she couldn’t stop peering through the rows for movement.She had tried to plead with the guards to put her in a cell instead, but the cells were just as bad as the dormitories. Maybe even worse. At night, the cells were shut, and for that reason, there was no need for as much patrols as the dormitories received.She was safer here. The guar
My Neighbour's Wife 80: Morwenna’s pov
Mor fiddled with the rosary, her fingers jittery. She cursed under her breath, despising the foul stench of piss and body odor. The women wouldn’t stop leering.Already, in the bathroom, King, as they called the top dog had tried to stick her hands down her pants while Mor was held back by a bunch of no-good whores with crack holes in their skin and rotting teeth.King had earned a black eye and torn lip from Mor.Many didn’t know, but Mor was a ruthless fighter. One couldn’t deal with devils without learning to protect themselves.But she was growing exhausted and pissy. Staying up all night, watching her back continuously, the anxiety and fear was starting to creep in. She would leave tomorrow, and she would see her son and husband at the safe house the government provided.One more night, she thought as she prayed The Lord’s Prayer. One more night and they would never get to her again. One more night and her son would be safe.They would try to kill her before then, that much she k
My Neighbour's Wife 79. Susanna’s pov
The words sink heavily in my soul, so much that long after the guests depart, I remain on the ground, neck hurting from watching the clouds move and shroud the moon.My neck tingles with awareness and I look back. Zefiro leans on the door behind me, hands in his grey suit pants. “It’s cold outside.”I exhale, heart racing suddenly. “I can barely feel it.” It isn’t entirely a lie. “Happy birthday. I didn’t know what date it was. I couldn’t…get you anything. I’m sorry.”He pushes off the door. “Your presence is enough.” He lowers himself to the ground beside me and I peer at his face in mild surprise. A lot of time might have passed, but I know Zefiro always had a cleanliness problem. “Have you thought about it yet?”“What?”“Where you wish to go first?”I shrug casually, even if tears cloud my vision. “Not quite. I don’t know many places. I read about Edinburgh once. It’s a magical place, I hear. Maybe Dublin, if I’m feeling adventurous. Iceland or Greece, out of mere curiosity. Venice
My Neighbour's Wife 78. Susanna’s pov
****“And the divorce proceedings with Valentina? God forbid you remain with the crazy bitch,” his grandaunt, Virginia says, her glass of red wine hovering close to her lips.My gaze flicks to Zefiro as he slices through his steak, his expression calm as ever, if a little warm. “Nearly done. It’s slower because of the case. Give it another month.” His mouth tightens. “Or two.”The dinner passed incident, though, the first few minutes had been tense. The introductions, especially. Mrs. Della Rocca had introduced me as a family friend, but upon hearing my name, every ear had perked. I quickly found that most of the females were like his grandmother—protective, sharp-eyed, and sent to constantly set me on edge.Though, they never strayed too far in their questioning, as if respecting some unspoken rule, I found myself being watched by too many. Varying shades of curiosity and interest, but nothing daunting.Zefiro has four cousins, all scattered down the family line, almost watered d
My Neighbour's Wife 77: Susanna’s pov
The next couple of days are critical and tense. There’s a guard hovering in every spot at the house. Rizzi says it might take a while yet before the Zaytsevs establish order and until then, it’d be best to keep away from the windows or open spaces.He made good on his promise, though I hadn’t believed him. The green-eyed singer from Morwenna’s cell, her name is Isha and even if she’d been kidnapped on a joy trip to Mexico and trafficked, even if she received word that her parents had looked for their the whole time, she wasn’t returning home.She had been engaged. And the society where ‘home’ was would shame her for what she had been through. Her sisters would never get married if she returned and ruined their reputation. It’d be better if she remained dead to them.Rizzi had her placed in one of the family’s exclusive restaurants under Zefiro’s orders. The guests enjoy her singing.I was beginning to think everything Rizzi had said was true. It makes me question my decisions, too.
My Neighbour's Wife 76: Susanna’s pov
The door on my left swings open and the little pockets of air I’ve selfishly gulped down my throat vanishes as Zefiro slides in beside me.My nails prick the leather of the backseat and a white handkerchief lands in my thigh. My fingers squeeze the silken material, unsure if it is meant for the blood or my tears and I let myself glance left. There is blood on his sleeves.“You could’ve told me.” My voice cracks on the last word.His head cocks, but his gaze remains out the window. “I did.” When his brown eyes find mine, there is fire alive in them…and hurt. “You’ll never trust me, will you?”“I—I was…I d—didn’t…I just—“He shakes his head and laughs a little, dark curls caressing his high cheekbones. “You have no idea the lengths I would go, the depravities I would commit to protect you. And if I could, I would carry your pain and scars, wear them with pride so you never have to. I would give—have given—everything. I have killed for you, bled for you, gone to war with myself, my worl
My Neighbour's Wife 75: Susanna’s pov
More shots ring through the hall and screams follow, with scrambling feet and scraping chairs. The singer's voice falters and wobbles, before ceasing altogether. The adept fingers on the piano, however, doesn't stop. I stare at Jaxon for a time. From his lifeless blue eyes, the blood pouring from the top of his head, from his chin onto my hands, my clothes. A subtle tremble begins from the core of my being, from the core of where the woman in me resides, spreading out until my fingers are cold, numb and filled with tremors. An arm lands on my shoulder, pulling me off Jaxon and I thrash against it, finding it difficult to aim, to keep the gun in my grasp. I just killed him. "Relax," Rizzi grunts against my ear. "It's about to get bloodier. We need to get you out of here." My gaze veers right and my stomach churns. Petrovich has a bullet between his brows, and his head hangs from an awkward angle of the chair's back. The woman who had b
